Chapter 5

Former Internet Celebrity Becomes Top Star - Chapter 5 (5/110)

5

"It's practically just a storage room."

The study, located at the far end of the floor, was more like a warehouse filled with all sorts of odds and ends.

If the hints given by such divine beings were anything, they must lead to something valuable and precious, right?

The study, which was practically a warehouse, seemed to have a low chance of containing anything, but...

Even though his countdown had become D-6.

"...Well, sure. They're begging so earnestly. Since I've come this far, what's the harm in checking one more room?"

The pleading of such a noble being made his heart soften.

Rouen had once been in a position where he desperately needed someone's help.

Even though no one had helped him back then.

"...Alright. I'll take a look, so don't get so worked up."

The second chance he had was probably because they had helped Qinghua.

Even a magpie repays kindness.

Checking one more room was something he could easily do.

Although only 6 days were left, thinking about it another way, he still had 6 days.

Suddenly, messages started popping up.

Rouen opened the study door a bit awkwardly.

Inside, it was as chaotic as he had felt the first time he saw it.

It was spacious, but all sorts of items were piled up haphazardly.

From large pieces of equipment that you might see in a fitness center to several sofas randomly placed around for some reason.

Shopping bags scattered everywhere and a pile of boxes with various brand logos.

It was a scene that didn't seem to hold anything that could save his life.

"This place doesn't seem like it would have anything... but since I decided to check it out anyway."

He was skeptical, but he would check it out.

What could possibly come from just looking around...

"......?"

Rouen's steps suddenly stopped.

In front of a pile of papers in the far corner.

If his eyes weren't deceiving him, what was seeping out from between those papers was definitely...

"Light...?"

It was light.

The papers were emitting light.

The continuous pop-up messages confirmed that this was the right answer.

Rouen muttered in surprise.

"This... works?"

* * *

The paper emitting light.

It turned out to be a thin booklet.

"Script?"

The name written below the provisional title seemed familiar.

But he didn't have time to think about who it was.

As he reached out to take a closer look.

"......!"

Suddenly, the light surrounding the script burst out.

That wasn't all.

Ding!

A cheerful sound rang in his ears.

Along with it, a system window popped up, as if congratulating him on finding the right answer.

That alone was surprising.

But what awaited him was even more shocking.

The number on the countdown was exactly the same as before.

He had expected this to some extent.

However.

He didn't expect this part.

'Penalty? Why does it feel so ominous?'

More ominous than the D-day countdown.

Rouen calmly read the next system notification.

'This feels like something from a game the youngest used to play...'

A quest, written as a request but read as a compulsion, given to users.

Why did this come to mind?

Sure enough.

Just looking at this, it was clear.

There's no such thing as a quest with such ominous wording that can be ignored.

Moreover.

The request and content captured Rouen's attention.

'Does this mean helping someone?'

The problem was that the target was unclear...

Rouen looked down at the script he was holding.

"Could it be, helping the person who wrote this?"

There must be a reason they gave him a hint to get this script.

Just in case, he asked.

It was the right answer.

Moreover, next to the 51 stars, the part that said "Requester" had appeared instead of a number.

Rouen scanned the script's cover.

Kim Sung-ha.

A familiar name.

'No wonder it felt familiar.'

There was a time when every famous film on the screen was directed by Kim Sung-ha.

He was also a director who had achieved ten million viewers several times with domestic films, not foreign blockbusters.

'But not anymore.'

Kim Sung-ha, who was once a guarantee of box office success in the Korean film industry.

However, at some point, he was embroiled in a fatal scandal and fell into the abyss.

It was even related to the industry.

Because of this, the director was heavily criticized and almost buried.

The more you have, the more painful the fall.

Once a brilliant director, he is now long forgotten.

'...It doesn't feel like someone else’s story.'

Just recalling who it was made him feel a bit bitter.

That's why.

He accepted the quest, which had a harsh warning and an unfriendly explanation.

"Ah, well, there's no choice."

Rouen raised his hand and selected "Yes."

He understood the desperate need for help more than anyone, so he had no choice but to accept.

* * *

"But, it does seem like a tough situation..."

After Rouen accepted the quest.

Qinghua, who had fallen asleep, woke up.

As soon as he woke up, he muttered while blinking, but when he heard the truth from Rouen, he started to get angry.

It started with the countdown appearing.

Then the observers entered and gave hints, and the quest appeared and was accepted. Qinghua heard the whole situation in one go.

For a while, he poured out curses at someone unknown.

Listening in, it was full of harsh words: fussy old men, old fogies with no flexibility, immoral bandits, and so on.

"But, it's really okay. It's something I have to do anyway, right?"

"Well... there's no such thing as a free lunch, right?"

He had agreed to pay a 'price' to come back to life.

Qinghua explained Rouen's situation like this.

In short, he had to pay a debt.

A debt for his life.

-Then what's the countdown for?

And the countdown.

-Grunt. That's the time to pay the price.

"Since I have to pay it anyway, it's better to accept it and pay quickly."

There's also a reward for paying the price.

'But, is that okay? I'm fine with it...'

"Wasn't it supposed to be me who had to pay?"

"Huh?"

In short, Rouen was a very important channel for them.

What is this?

This solid feeling?

Moreover, it felt a bit awkward.

'Now that I think about it, how long has it been since someone took my side?'

The usual things he heard were always the same.

-Rouen, you should understand a bit more.

-Oh, they probably had a reason.

-You heard the story, right? Since it turned out this way, you should be more patient.

Even when the other party was clearly in the wrong.

But.

Qinghua was different.

Even though he seemed like an old, fussy being.

Even though they had only met twice, it suddenly felt like he had an ally, making his heart feel solid.

Moreover.

'Now that I think about it, Qinghua saved me. He said I had to pay a debt because of that, but he never explained why he saved me.'

One more thing.

Qinghua seemed to be deliberately avoiding mentioning something, but Rouen had noticed more.

'From what I hear, it's not just me who will die, but Qinghua as well. He tied his own fate to mine without saying anything.'

He didn't know the reason.

But he knew one thing.

Qinghua didn't want Rouen to die.

And for some reason, Qinghua was on his side.

"No, it's not that."

"Just... with Qinghua here, I suddenly feel more secure."

It had been so long since he had received such unconditional kindness and concern.

That's why he said it.

Suddenly, droplets of water splashed around.

It felt like a sudden outburst.

So, Qinghua loudly declared that he shouldn't worry about the future.

And at that moment.

The countdown number decreased.

The remaining time was 5 days.

It was time to focus on the quest again.

* * *

Rouen glared at the script in his hand.

'Accepting the quest is good, but what exactly do I need to do?'

The remaining time was 5 days.

He had to complete this vague quest within that time.